Concierge/Club Level Information - Part II (Sept 2009)

[lovesdumbo]

Yummy!!! What else did they have?? Inquiring (and hungry) minds want to know!

They had oatmeal everyday and 4 kinds of cereal-I think they had raisin bran, frosted flakes, fruit loops - and one other-maybe cheerios? I'm pretty sure they had 1 kind of muffin everyday along with bagels, croissants and 1 other sweet pastry that varied. They had a chocolate/coconut thing, cinnamon rolls, and these cheese Danish things that I really enjoyed-not a typical cheese Danish.

They had bowls of fruit (not all mixed like at Poly)-honeydew, cantaloupe, pineapple and grapes. They had mixed berry or strawberry yogurt, they had V8 juice, OJ, whole milk, skim milk, and chocolate milk.

They did not have bread for toast.

I have to sort through my photos-I didn't take too many but I know my DS took a few.

We never had a problem finding a seat.

I have to say it was indeed very nice but I wasn't WOWed by it as I had hoped. I was assigned a room behind ESPN overlooking the utilities, satellite dishes and lots of noise from the service road and a HIKE from the lounge. When I told the bellman I wasn't happy with the room he called and they told him they would move me the next day. When I went to check in they were VERY cold to me. When I asked for a birthday button they simply asked me "how do you spell that?" and didn't even wish me a happy birthday. It was a pain not being able to settle in and then having to have bell services come get my bags bright and early so we could make early EMH at MK and tip them both ways. The next room was much closer to the lounge but still had a tiny balcony.

The lounge staff was all very nice.

I have a reservation to stay there in July but am seriously considering switching to a 1BR at Kidani instead. It really was nice but I wanted to love it more. DH would love to stay at GF RPC but I'm really afraid of the expectations I would have there.

Two other stupid little things that bothered me were that they took away the ice tea at the evening offerings. I like that it was available until close at AKL & Poly and that they didn't have large plastic cups for beer if you wanted to take it to the pool-when I asked they offered me a small Styrofoam cup.

 

[scottmel]

Sorry you had that lousy view. I have posted several times on different threads about that view and to avoid it! Sorry you missed those posts as I agree, lousy view!!! And just a view rooms have it really....Sorry you were diappointed there. We stayed last summer and loved it. Are staying YC CL this summer and am worried it wont' live up to BWI!! There were a few staff members at BWI I felt were GREAT and a few were just ok...Sorry you hit the just ok ones.

 

[Cinderumbrella]

They had oatmeal everyday and 4 kinds of cereal-I think they had raisin bran, frosted flakes, fruit loops - and one other-maybe cheerios? I'm pretty sure they had 1 kind of muffin everyday along with bagels, croissants and 1 other sweet pastry that varied. They had a chocolate/coconut thing, cinnamon rolls, and these cheese Danish things that I really enjoyed-not a typical cheese Danish.

They had bowls of fruit (not all mixed like at Poly)-honeydew, cantaloupe, pineapple and grapes. They had mixed berry or strawberry yogurt, they had V8 juice, OJ, whole milk, skim milk, and chocolate milk.

They did not have bread for toast.

I have to sort through my photos-I didn't take too many but I know my DS took a few.

We never had a problem finding a seat.

I have to say it was indeed very nice but I wasn't WOWed by it as I had hoped. I was assigned a room behind ESPN overlooking the utilities, satellite dishes and lots of noise from the service road and a HIKE from the lounge. When I told the bellman I wasn't happy with the room he called and they told him they would move me the next day. When I went to check in they were VERY cold to me. When I asked for a birthday button they simply asked me "how do you spell that?" and didn't even wish me a happy birthday. It was a pain not being able to settle in and then having to have bell services come get my bags bright and early so we could make early EMH at MK and tip them both ways. The next room was much closer to the lounge but still had a tiny balcony.

The lounge staff was all very nice.

I have a reservation to stay there in July but am seriously considering switching to a 1BR at Kidani instead. It really was nice but I wanted to love it more. DH would love to stay at GF RPC but I'm really afraid of the expectations I would have there.

Two other stupid little things that bothered me were that they took away the ice tea at the evening offerings. I like that it was available until close at AKL & Poly and that they didn't have large plastic cups for beer if you wanted to take it to the pool-when I asked they offered me a small Styrofoam cup.

Thanks for the details! Sorry about the view

I really understand about high expectations for the GF. We stayed RPC last November and had issues with IPO, which really put a damper on things. The resort staff was great though (minus the lady who checked us in ) We were "upgraded" to a deluxe honeymoon suite, which was HUGE, but it was a king sized bed for the 3 of us. They brought in a rollaway for DS, but he was not happy about sleeping on a baby bed. They offered to move us to a MK view room the next day. It was all the way on the end, and the side view from the balcony was the service entrance. And although the castle was unobstructed, you could only see about half the fireworks. It was a little disappointing The hotel sent us a beautiful gift basket, however, to make up for the inconvience, which was a very nice touch. They also picked up the tab for my birthday dinner at Narcoosee's (including a bottle of wine). So in the end, it really worked out OK.

That being said, I am really looking forward to staying somewhere new in November

 

[lovesdumbo]

Sorry you had that lousy view. I have posted several times on different threads about that view and to avoid it! Sorry you missed those posts as I agree, lousy view!!! And just a view rooms have it really....Sorry you were diappointed there. We stayed last summer and loved it. Are staying YC CL this summer and am worried it wont' live up to BWI!! There were a few staff members at BWI I felt were GREAT and a few were just ok...Sorry you hit the just ok ones.

I almost called to add not near ESPN to my reservation but I thought that my only request "close to lounge" would be mutually exclusive to that so I didn't bother. I guess I was thinking they would see I was there for my birthday and wouldn't give me one of those rooms but I guess everyone is there celebrating something. I did know right away to ask to move because I had seen the warning. When I mentioned to the CM checking me in that my only request was close to the lounge he just shrugged. It is kind of hard to shake off that first impression. I got the impression they didn't think I was worthy of a better room.

I'm uploading photos right now...

 

[lovesdumbo]

Thanks for the details! Sorry about the view

I really understand about high expectations for the GF. We stayed RPC last November and had issues with IPO, which really put a damper on things. The resort staff was great though (minus the lady who checked us in ) We were "upgraded" to a deluxe honeymoon suite, which was HUGE, but it was a king sized bed for the 3 of us. They brought in a rollaway for DS, but he was not happy about sleeping on a baby bed. They offered to move us to a MK view room the next day. It was all the way on the end, and the side view from the balcony was the service entrance. And although the castle was unobstructed, you could only see about half the fireworks. It was a little disappointing The hotel sent us a beautiful gift basket, however, to make up for the inconvience, which was a very nice touch. They also picked up the tab for my birthday dinner at Narcoosee's (including a bottle of wine). So in the end, it really worked out OK.

That being said, I am really looking forward to staying somewhere new in November

Glad things worked out well for you. I was thinking I'd get a great room after the inconvenience but it was just OK.....still had a small balcony and while they did have the Happy Birthday message on the phone a card would have been nice. Even an apology or call asking if the new room was OK would have been nice.

 

[lovesdumbo]

Let's get the bad out of the way first. Here's the view from the first room:

Here's the small balcony:

Service road:

 

[scottmel]

Lovesdumbo - was Pete still there? I found him quite nice - did you? One of the guys working the front desk we weren't so hot on, we use to catch him rolling his eyes everytime the phone rang! I am sorry for the view fiasco. A view is imporant to me - very! but I know others could care less about it...Sorry it wasn't so hot for you

 

[lovesdumbo]

Breakfast:
oatmeal

 

[scottmel]

Well honestly the view is NOT good by BWI CL standards but decent enough if this was YC or BC CL. A lot of those rooms face roof tops...Our room was about 3 to the right of yours and we had the pretty garden/quiet pool view but if I craned my neck to the left from the balcony I could tell it was some sort of road that way...So I think there are just a few"bum" rooms with that view you had. UGH.

 

[lovesdumbo]

Evening offerings:

View of Illuminations from CL balcony

Gotta love turndown service!!!

 

[lovesdumbo]

Lovesdumbo - was Pete still there? I found him quite nice - did you? One of the guys working the front desk we weren't so hot on, we use to catch him rolling his eyes everytime the phone rang! I am sorry for the view fiasco. A view is imporant to me - very! but I know others could care less about it...Sorry it wasn't so hot for you

I didn't notice a Pete. I think it was Scott who checked me in but I can't swear to it. It was really more of the "who do you think you are attitude" about my room change request than the view that bothered me.

Well honestly the view is NOT good by BWI CL standards but decent enough if this was YC or BC CL. A lot of those rooms face roof tops...Our room was about 3 to the right of yours and we had the pretty garden/quiet pool view but if I craned my neck to the left from the balcony I could tell it was some sort of road that way...So I think there are just a few"bum" rooms with that view you had. UGH.

The quiet pool would have been across the hall from us-we were directly behind the ESPN club on the far side of the building.

 

[lovesdumbo]

Well honestly the view is NOT good by BWI CL standards but decent enough if this was YC or BC CL. A lot of those rooms face roof tops...Our room was about 3 to the right of yours and we had the pretty garden/quiet pool view but if I craned my neck to the left from the balcony I could tell it was some sort of road that way...So I think there are just a few"bum" rooms with that view you had. UGH.

OH...forgot to add...if I had booked YC or BC CL couldn't I have booked a water view?

 

[scottmel]

Pete was a very kindly older gentleman - mid 60's - always sitting at the front desk. He is my fondest memory of the BWI - total above and beyond guy. He was the reason I was really pushing to go back this summer but DD wanted SAB at YC. Scott was the eyeroller!!!

 

[scottmel]

WhatI like about BWI CL is flat amount gets you club level.What I don't like about BC YC CL is they tier it - you pay more for a water view yet not more at BWI CL for Boardwalk view. I don't like that...So yes if I want a water view I could pay for it. I choose not to and selected garden view but at least at BWI garden view implies garden with a darn good chance of it. YC BC opposite...few garden rooms....mostly bad views with garden views...

 

[lovesdumbo]

Pete was a very kindly older gentleman - mid 60's - always sitting at the front desk. He is my fondest memory of the BWI - total above and beyond guy. He was the reason I was really pushing to go back this summer but DD wanted SAB at YC. Scott was the eyeroller!!!

OK...I think he was there and always very friendly when we left and returned. Scott was friendlier around day 7 of our 8 day stay....

The lounge staff was great!

WhatI like about BWI CL is flat amount gets you club level.What I don't like about BC YC CL is they tier it - you pay more for a water view yet not more at BWI CL for Boardwalk view. I don't like that...So yes if I want a water view I could pay for it. I choose not to and selected garden view but at least at BWI garden view implies garden with a darn good chance of it. YC BC opposite...few garden rooms....mostly bad views with garden views...

I do see that point of view, in fact even though I really enjoy Poly that new Theme Park View CL really fries me. That plus their lousy breakfast makes me reluctant to return for a while.

I am really torn about what to do for July. I really, really enjoy the convenience of CL service but I'm thinking about trying a 1BR villa at Kidani for the 2 bathrooms, lots of room, kitchen and most importantly washer/dryer.

 

[jackemail]

Thanks for the photos, lovesdumbo!

Pete is a really cool guy.

 

[kaffinito]

Pete was a very kindly older gentleman - mid 60's - always sitting at the front desk. He is my fondest memory of the BWI - total above and beyond guy. He was the reason I was really pushing to go back this summer but DD wanted SAB at YC. Scott was the eyeroller!!!

Pete is the bomb!

I agree, Scott - not so much. He was kind of snooty I thought. Love Pete though - am looking forward to seeing him again in August.

lovesdumbo: Thanks for the pics!

 

[ClareH37]

I'm also just back (today) from a 7 night stay at the BWI CL - lovesdumbo your pictures are so similar to mine lol

This was my second 'proper' trip to the BWI (I had previously done a 2 nighter back in 2007, but my first proper trip was 7 nights in 2009), I had the most wonderful time and was given the most wonderful room - room 4237 - a king size boardwalk view directly opposite the lounge.

My first trip I too had been given that horrible view, thankfully they changed it. I'm so sorry you had issues, that really puts a dampener on things doesn't it

The evening appetisers are now all Kouzzina, I have been told from a very reliable source that the offerings were changed due to guests treating the previous offerings like a buffet, the Kouzzina offerings were definitely not as popular as the previous offerings but I loved them as I love olives and greek salad. The plates have also been substantially downsized, for the same reason again.

I love Pete, he got me into Flying Fish twice without a reservation, that man really makes magic happen, also Lorenzo and Anita, OMG those guys really are the best, I haven't laughed so much in ages. Scott didn't appear very happy this trip and I can see what perhaps he appears a little standoffish, but he really is OK.

 

[nascargirl]

Clare glad to see you made it back safe and sound to the UK! That is my favorite room of all time and we are usually lucky enough to get that. It was so great to actually talk on the phone with you one night from the lounge with Linda. I look forward to hearing all about your trip that we didn't get to talk about. We are at the 6 wk mark for our next trip and maybe we will have to give you a call.

 

[ClareH37]

Clare glad to see you made it back safe and sound to the UK! That is my favorite room of all time and we are usually lucky enough to get that. It was so great to actually talk on the phone with you one night from the lounge with Linda. I look forward to hearing all about your trip that we didn't get to talk about. We are at the 6 wk mark for our next trip and maybe we will have to give you a call.

I had a wonderful stay Jeanette, absolutely amazing - it was so good to finally 'talk' wasn't it.

My flight back to the UK left on time last night and I was in tears by the time I left the guys at the BWI, I didn't want to leave!

I'll be doing a trip report again and will PM you with lots of details lol